I love this monthly blog circle! I love the challenge of getting a photo of all my girls together each month and taking the time to sit and write them a letter. Be sure to click through our small circle of photographers to read their letters and see their photos. Check out Laurie Flickinger next.

This month I asked my husband to write the letter. I love hearing his thoughts on things they need to remember :)

Dear girls,

Words of advice for my beautiful, smart, funny, and talented girls. Where do I even start? There’s too much to encapsulate in a few pages, so this will be purely stream of consciousness until it’s time to make you lunch. You’re 6,4, and 1 right now, so I imagine you’re a little older when you actually read this, maybe 11 or 12. Young enough to not miss the dating advice but old enough to understand sarcasm. Regardless, understand that this is by no means the end of my ceaseless supply of unsolicited advice.

Don’t be afraid to be different, and don’t be afraid to speak up.
So much of our lives, especially when we’re young, are spent trying to fit in with everyone else. Only later do we realize we need to be ourselves. Trust yourself, it’s good to speak up, even if your opinion is unpopular, if what you’re saying is the right thing. Everyone is always entitled to their opinion, but if that opinion is mean-spirited or harmful to someone then it is wrong. Strongly consider not associating with those people in the future.

Tell the truth.
White lies to spare someone’s feelings are ok but be careful. If you screw up you’re ALWAYs better off telling the truth than covering it up. I’ve got examples of both, ask me.

Boys.
You’re not allowed to date one until after college. Or at least after high school. Trust me, you’re not missing much. Most boys have no idea who they are or what they want to do with their lives at this point. And most of the boys who are “cool” when you’re that age are not the boys who end up being the type of guy you want to be with anyway. But eventually I know you’ll start dating boys (probably well before I’m ready) and here’s a few tips:

1. Don’t ever change who you are for a boy. Someone should appreciate you for who you are, and you are perfectly designed by God himself. If you ever feel like you need to change to become “good enough” or the “right girl” for a boy, you’re wrong. End of story.

2. Date a boy who treats you with respect and care. When I drove you home from the hospital there were a lot of people who didn’t appreciate it. Why? Because I was driving 20 in a 40 and glaring at every person who passed me on the way home. Luckily we only lived a few miles from where you were born. That’s care, although a little on the crazy side but still…believe all the hype we’ve been passing you all these years. You are special. Anyone who doesn’t recognize this is done dating you. Period. Also, these are just off the top of my head and by no means constitute the finality of my guidance on boys, which is, in case you were wondering, never- ending. To fully grasp my immense knowledge on this subject (believe it or not I might actually be helpful in understanding the opposite sex from time to time) you’ll need to talk to me often about all of your problems.

Your parents are pretty cool, at least, we hope we are.
Here’s another one you’ll find out when you’re about 30, or hopefully sooner. Not that we’re cool in a “up with the latest trends, doesn’t wear jorts or even the occasional fanny pack” (Ask your Poppy) kind of way, but in a “busting our tails to look out for your best interest and future success” way. At 32, I can’t even imagine working two jobs and still making time to coach baseball, or teaching 100 kids for 8 hours a day and then coming home and having the patience to cook dinner for the family and help you guys with your latest science project you managed to put off until the night before it’s due. Oh and then grade papers. But that’s something my parents did for years to ensure I grew up right. It can be exhausting, but many times it’s simply amazing, and it’s all definitely worth it. It’s because we love you more than you can comprehend. Your mom and I’s parents did that for us, we’re doing it for you, and you’ll one day do it for your kids. Remember to say thanks, even 30 years later is not too late.

Finally, be wary of guys with flattop haircuts.
What? Yes, keep reading. Now there are exceptions to this rule, I’ve met some, but we all have round heads for a reason only God may know, and anyone who voluntarily cuts their hair in a “squared off” fashion deserves to at least be questioned. This is only a joke, but it leads to something a little more important. Treat your body well, and don’t do anything to it that seems unnatural, or doesn’t feel good. If anyone asks you to do something to your body that doesn’t feel right, just don’t do it. And you should get away from that person. They are not your friend.

That’s all for now, but that is clearly not all there is. Most importantly know that we are always there to talk to you, and want to talk to you! And even though they may ground you or scold you for doing something wrong, they’ll never stop loving you and wanting the absolute best for you. Until we do this again…

Love,
Daddy